speechless

Chapter 2

I'm already walking to the exit of the university, another long class has ended.

What good news can I share with grandma?

I stopped walking and looked up at the sky which was beginning to darken. It's not new for me to come home at this time, feeling scared that someone might attack me doesn't bother me because of grandma's reputation, but once I heard a man's voice calling me I started to get nervous.

I tried to convince myself that it was just my imagination because I was too exhausted with my non-stop academic requirements, but it continued to bother me no matter how I tried to brush it off my thoughts.

If it's real, who was he?

I believe in souls, but what else is the necklace I'm wearing to ward off evil spirits? Is that not effective or is it just a side effect of being the grandson of a witch?

I thought about that until I pedaled home. I didn't realize that I was close, I guess my bike is speeding up now?

When I finally arrived in front of our house which was ten times the mark for me, I was momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar sight in my eyes.

Why are there so many black cars?

I snort as I park my bike. Will they buy herbs from grandma?

I lost my attention on the black cars when I felt the distress of my three pet dogs, grandma had tied them up.

"Hush..." I knelt and stroked them one by one to calm them down, my pets are not used to many visitors.

My dogs calmed down when I petted them.

"Red, White, and Blue... I'll also untie you when our guests leave." They snuggled at me.

I grinned at them before standing up and leaving them.

I went to the front of the house and was about to open the door when I heard grandma's loud voice. Not even once have I heard him raise his voice and feel his intense nervousness.

These people were intimidating my grandmother! Who are they?

"He's underage!"

My hand was shaking in front of the door handle, I wanted to go face those people together and help grandma but I couldn't move my body anymore.

Are they talking about me?

"Olivia, the second prince is not in a good condition. He needs her..." a cold man's voice answered grandma.

prince? And need me? What are they talking about?

"We have something to talk about, Dastan! My grandson is not yet at the right age. Don't take it from me yet. I'm not ready yet..."

Take it? I will not go with them.

"Olivia! Respect the first prince." Another man's voice answered grandma.

I don't understand what they are talking about. Why are there princes? Why does the prince need me? What country are those people from?

"Olivia, Cordelia's eighteenth birthday is just a few days away. What else is different about that now? My brother needs her blood, Zen's life will not last long if your grandson stays away from him. I know you are the one who knows best about that matter because you have the same experience with Leon."

I was even more confused by their conversation. Grandpa's name is Leon, but who is Zen? Who is Dastan that grandma is talking to now? Why does Zen need my blood?

Can't they find a blood bank? What's with my eighteenth birthday?

Before I went completely crazy with what I was hearing, I dared to open the door, which is why everyone's attention was focused on me. Grandma's eyes widened when I saw, she was currently surrounded by tall men who seemed to be wearing black coat uniforms.

"Claret..." grandma called me softly.

Three people were dressed differently from everyone else, they were wearing only casual clothes which made them more noticeable among the many people inside our small house.

The first guy who wasn't too far from my age had gray hair, and he smiled widely at me.

The only woman with them had a serious expression but her eyes were staring at me warmly.

And at the center of it, all is the man who sits alone, with cold eyes, and screams the presence of authority. Even if none of them said it, it would immediately be known that he was the highest among them.

I tried to remove my gaze away from him, but he had these pair of black orbs... too powerful like they possessed something with undefined hypnotic pull...

"She's been listening outside for a while now. She's beautiful." The gray-haired guy said while smiling at me with ease.

"Dastan, do you think Zen will like him? That one is artistic. She has small breasts. Our brother is a boobs material." My mouth fell open at what the woman said.

I suddenly had the urge to cover my chest. How dare her?

But that woman just blurted out the words like it wasn't as scandalous for a virgin's ears. In fact, he just turned on the fan and fanned himself.

First was my blood, and then my chest's size. Who is that, Zen? Seriously. Are these people crazy?

"Grandma, s-who are they?"

I started coming closer to grandma. "The visitors."

"I-I won't go with them..."

"It looks like she won't come willingly Dastan, should I force her? I feel sorry for Zen." I was alarmed when the gray-haired man started walking towards me.

"If you need blood, why don't you go to the blood banks in Manila? You must be rich. You can afford to buy blood for that Zen! I am not willing to donate." My voice is hoarse.

I'm also starting to get scared, what do grandma and I have against these people once they force us?

Grandma suddenly blocked in front of me to protect me.

"Why doesn't he know anything yet, Olivia?" asked the man who remained seated as if unmoved by what was happening.

Despite this kind of situation, there is no denying that he cannot be admired by anyone with eyes. Especially when he stood up formally, he seemed like a kind of royalty that I only witnessed in shows.

He's gorgeous...

"Dastan, she's drooling over you. She is Zen's property. Lessen your charm, Your Majesty." The gray-haired man said with a chuckle.

"Shut up, Caleb. Continue, big brother. Don't mind this jerk." The woman answered, then they would be siblings. So it is not surprising that they also have a resemblance.

The longer I stared at them, the more I noticed something about them that didn't seem normal. There is something strange in their eyes.

"Is the second prince sick?" grandma asked hesitantly.

My eyes moved around the three siblings and grandma, was this true what I was witnessing and hearing?

"He's dying. Our brother is dying, Olivia..." answered the woman.

"Your Highness, let me explain to my grandson first. Don't worry and he will come for the second prince himself..."

I was stunned by what grandma said. He will give me to these people? Why is it my responsibility to kill a prince? Why are there majesties? Why are they talking like this?

"When is he going to go? Zen is going to die! If that grandma and grandpa can't be brought to a good conversation. I'll finish Dastan!" My chest rumbled nervously as the woman's eyes lit up red.

His eyes were full of anger, and I blinked in fear. But when I woke up again I was greeted by black eyes. Did I miss it?

"Lily!" called a man named Dastan.

The woman bowed. "I'm sorry..."

"Dastan, let's go here to get that girl. We can't let our brother die waiting for her eighteenth birthday. Let me get some blood from her, Zen badly needs her blood."

I took a step back again, and when I thought the man would finally get close to me, Dastan blocked his hand to stop it.

"Can I count on your promise, Olivia?" Dastan asked.

"Yes, Your Highness." Grandma formally bowed before Dastan as if he were a high noble who should be given deep respect.

"Good, but I want to talk to him before we leave." He glanced at me.

"I-I don't want to... I won't go with them, I won't donate blood." I shook my head at grandma several times but she just held my arm and gently squeezed me.

"Claret... he'll talk to you for a while. It's for you too."

"I don't want..." grandma started to take her hand away from me.

I tried to reach her, and follow her when she turned her back on me but the Your Majesty scooped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"G-grandma!" I called him but he continued walking and never looked back at me.

I started to struggle with the man. "Let go of me!"

"G-Grandma!"

I hit him, and I fought but while I didn't stop attacking them, I frowned when I noticed that those in black and his two brothers were gone.

We're alone.

"I don't know what your relationship is with my grandmother. But I won't go with you, I never thought I would leave her here."

When I stopped struggling Dastan slowly released me. I didn't even try to run because I knew that even if I couldn't see his men I knew that they would be ready the moment I ran.

"Your path is not in this place Cordelia Amor, your path is in our world."

I should be laughing at what I'm hearing but I can feel my hair stand on end. There's something very unusual about him, and I couldn't name it.

"What is your brother's blood type? My blood is not rare, I am not willing to donate my blood. J-just tell him to stay strong... I'm not the one who can help him."

"I'm not in the place to explain but as soon as you discover the truth, our family will welcome you." Last, before I pulled back and avoided his hand.

I felt his light touch on my right cheek.

His eyes were emotionless, but the way they daunted me seems like enchanting...

"And up until now I am still confused, I am the firstborn. The future king but you're not destined for me..."

He was about to reach me when he stopped mid-way.

"I need to go. The next time we meet again, you don't need to wear glasses. My brother's venom will definitely make you one the most beautiful..." And he turned away from me full of questions in my mind.

I thought I would remain speechless, but I took a few steps toward him.

"Are you saying I'm not beautiful, Your Highness?" he stopped walking and faced me again.

"Did I say something? I apologize." He seemed to be a wind in the speed and cleanliness of his movements.

I just found myself intensely blushing as I witnessed his soft lips touch the back of my hand. Dastan, formally bent his body in his prince-like way with his eyes closed.

I was stunned by him when he straightened up.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dastan Lancelot Gazellian, I may not have that spade birthmark. But I can make you the queen, beautiful Claret Cordelia Amor..."

I couldn't count how many minutes I stared at him, but as soon as I woke up to the truth I immediately pulled my hand away from him.

"I'm just kidding..." I couldn't make out the word joke from the way he spoke.

"Close your eyes..."

I tried to protest but when his eyes glowed in red, darkness overwhelmed me.